Display Merchandiser with Lighting Enhancement

ABSTRACT

Illumination of the interior product display space of a cold beverage merchandizer is enhanced by: a first reflector ( 90 ) disposed along a lower front region of the interior product display space at the front of the cabinet; a second reflector ( 92 ) disposed in the upper front region of the interior display space in operative association with a lamp ( 80 ); a third reflector ( 94 ) disposed in a side front region of the interior display space at a side and front of the cabinet; a fourth reflector ( 94 ) disposed in a side front region of the interior display space at a side and front of the cabinet opposite the third reflector, a fifth reflector ( 96 ) mounted to an interior facing surface of the door bounding the upper front region of the interior display space, and a sixth reflector ( 98 ) mounted to an interior facing surface of the door.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Reference is made to and this application claims priority from and thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/663,081, filed Mar.18, 2005, and entitled LIGHTING ENHANCEMENT USING REFLECTIVE SURFACES INBOTTLE COOLERS, which application is incorporated herein in its entiretyby reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to display merchandisers and, moreparticularly, to improving illumination of product displayed within alighted display merchandiser.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Display merchandisers, also commonly referred to as display cases ordisplay cabinets, are widely used in merchandising products indepartment stores, bakeries, groceries, supermarkets, convenience storesand other retail establishments. Such merchandisers commonly have aglass front, and often also a glass top and even glass sides, throughwhich a consumers may view the products display within the merchandiser.Non-refrigerated display merchandisers are commonly used to display awide range of products, including for example, jewelry, toys, electronicdevices, baked goods, bottled and canned beverages. Refrigerated displaymerchandisers are commonly used to display perishable and frozencomestibles and beverages, including for example meats, poultry, fish,diary products, prepackaged frozen foods, cold bottled and cannedbeverages and other products that need to be maintained in a controlledenvironment.

It is well appreciated that illuminating the product displayed withinthe merchandiser can enhance the appearance of the displayed product tothe consumer. Accordingly, both refrigerated and non-refrigerateddisplay cases have often been equipped with lights placed within theinterior of the cabinet to illuminate the product. For example, U.S.Pat. No. 6,098,529 discloses a non-refrigerated display case for fooditems, such as baked goods, wherein the interior of the cabinet isilluminated by a plurality of vertically arrayed incandescent lampsdisposed in the rear corners of the cabinet and by a plurality ofhorizontally disposed, vertically spaced fluorescent lamps extendingacross the front of the cabinet. A front lighted display case, fordisplaying jewelry and the like, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,876,has a single, horizontally extending fluorescent light mounted at theupper front of the cabinet for illuminating product display therein.U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,516 discloses a display case for displaying scalemodels wherein the cabinet is illuminated by a plurality of low wattagelamps extending around the entire upper periphery of the interior of thecabinet.

Similarly, refrigerated display merchandisers are well known in the art,such as, for example, disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,297,863; 5,584,189,5,508,898; and 4,977,754. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,863 a multiple door,glass-door display case is disclosed wherein vertically extendingfluorescent lamps disposed near both front comers and between the doorsof the display case illuminate a plurality of horizontal shelves. U.S.Pat. No. 5,584,189 discloses a hexagonally-sided refrigeratedmerchandiser wherein three vertically extending fluorescent lamps aredisposed in the wall of the cabinet at equally spaced intervals aboutthe periphery of the interior of the cabinet to illuminate thehorizontal shelves therein.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,508,898 discloses an open-front refrigerated displaycase for food products wherein a pair of horizontally extendingfluorescent lamps disposed at the upper front of the cabinet with anassociated reflector which directs the light from the lamps downwardlyand into the cabinet to illuminate the forwardly-sloping shelvestherein. Additionally, a horizontally extending fluorescent lamp ismounted to the underside of each shelve near the forward edge thereofwith an associated reflector to illuminate that the next shelve therebelow and the region below the lowermost shelve.

Lights are also commonly used in cold beverage merchandisers toilluminate the beverage cans or bottles displayed therein. For example,U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,754 discloses a two-door, glass door, cold beveragemerchandiser wherein a horizontally extending fluorescent lamp ismounted in a forward position in an upper region of the interior of thecabinet to illuminate the sloping shelves therein. Further, ahorizontally extending fluorescent lamp is disposed in a separatecompartment in association with a sign disposed at the upper front ofthe merchandiser so as to illuminate the sign. Glass-door, cold beveragemerchandisers are also available that include a singlehorizontally-extending fluorescent lamp disposed at the upper front ofthe cabinet interior with to light a sign disposed along the upper frontof the cabinet, as well as illuminate shelves there below. A reflectoris typically provided in association with the lamp to aid in directinglight from the lamp downwardly toward the shelves.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,666 discloses a glass door refrigerated merchandiserwherein a vertically extending fluorescent lamp mounted to door so as toextend along the side thereof at a front corner of the cabinet provideslight to illuminate the interior of the cabinet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a display merchandiserhaving an improved lighting system for illuminating an interior productdisplay space within the merchandiser.

It is an object of the invention to provide a display merchandiserincluding at least one reflector having a relatively high reflectivitysurface adapted to direct light into an interior product display spacewithin the merchandiser.

It is an object of an aspect of the invention to provide a cold beveragemerchandiser having a lighting system incorporating a lamp and at leastone reflector having a relatively high reflectivity surface adapted todirect light emitted from the lamp into an interior product displayspace within the merchandiser.

In one aspect of the invention, an embodiment of a display merchandiseris provided having an improved lighting system for illuminating aninterior product display space within the display merchandiser. Thedisplay merchandiser includes a cabinet defining the interior productdisplay space and having a viewing area through which at least a portionof the interior product display region can be viewed. A lamp foremitting light into the interior product display space is disposed alonga first surface bounding the interior product display space. A firstreflector, adapted to direct at least a portion of the light emittedfrom the lamp into the interior product display space, is disposed alonga second surface bounding the interior product display space, the secondsurface being opposite the first surface.

In another embodiment, a second reflector may be disposed in operativeassociation with the lamp, and adapted to reflect at least a portion ofthe light emitted from the lamp toward the first reflector. Inadditional embodiments, a third reflector may be disposed along a thirdsurface bounding the interior product display space, and a fourthreflector may be disposed along a fourth surface bounding the interiorproduct display space. In addition to reflecting light into the interiorproduct display space, when both the third and fourth reflectors areprovided, these reflectors may be cooperatively disposed to reflect backand forth across the product viewing area. The viewing area may be anopen access opening in a surface bounding the interior product displayspace or a transparent portion of a surface bounding the interiorproduct display space.

In a further embodiment of the display merchandiser, the viewing areaconstitutes an access opening and the cabinet has at least one door thatis selectively positionable between a first position in which the doorcloses the access opening to access to the interior product displayspace and a second position in which the door opens the access openingto access to the product interior display space. The door includes atransparent surface commensurate with the viewing area and may be ahinged glass door or a sliding glass door. In additional embodiments, afifth reflector may be mounted to an interior facing surface of the doorbordering the first surface bounding the interior product display spacealong which the lamp extends, and a sixth reflector may be mounted to aninterior facing surface of the door bordering the second surfacebounding the interior product display space. In addition to reflectinglight into the interior product display space, when both the fifth andsixth reflectors are provided, these reflectors are cooperativelydisposed such that the fifth reflector also reflects light emitted bythe lamp toward the sixth reflector.

In one aspect of the invention, a cold beverage merchandiser is providedhaving an improved lighting system for illuminating an interior productdisplay space within the merchandiser. The cold beverage merchandiserincludes a an insulated cabinet having a top wall, a base wall, an openfront, and a surrounding side wall structure including a plurality ofside walls extending between the top wall and the base wall, anddefining a refrigerated interior including the interior display space.At least one door is mounted to the cabinet and extends across the openfront of the interior display space. The door has a transparent viewingarea through which at least a portion of the interior display space canbe viewed. The door may be a hinged or a sliding glass front door. Alamp is disposed along an upper front region of the interior displayspace near the top wall and front of the cabinet for emitting light. Afirst reflector is disposed along a lower front region of the interiorproduct display space at the front of the cabinet and is adapted todirect at least a portion of the light emitted from the lamp into theinterior product display space. In another embodiment of the coldbeverage merchandiser, a second reflector disposed in the upper frontregion of the interior display space in operative association with thelamp and is adapted to reflect at least a portion of the light emittedfrom the lamp toward said first reflector.

In a further embodiment of the cold beverage merchandiser, a thirdreflector adapted to direct at least a portion of the light emitted fromthe lamp into the interior product display space is disposed in a sidefront region of the interior display space at a side and front of thecabinet, and a fourth reflector adapted to direct at least a portion ofthe light emitted from said lamp into the interior product display spaceis disposed in a side front region of the interior display space at aside and front of the cabinet opposite the third reflector. The thirdand fourth reflectors may be cooperatively disposed to reflect back andforth across the front of the interior product display space.

In other embodiments of the cold beverage merchandiser, a fifthreflector is mounted to an interior facing surface of the door boundingthe upper front region of the interior display space. This fifthreflector is adapted to direct at least a portion of the light emittedfrom the lamp inwardly and downwardly into the interior display space.Advantageously, a sixth reflector may be mounted to an interior facingsurface of the door bounding the lower front region of the interiordisplay space. The sixth reflector is adapted to direct at least aportion of the light emitted from said lamp, including light reflecteddownwardly by the fifth reflector, into the interior display space.

In a further embodiment, a refrigerated merchandiser includes aninsulated cabinet having a top wall, a base, an open front, and asurrounding side wall structure including a plurality of side wallsextending between the top wall and the base wall, and defining arefrigerated interior display space. At least one door is mounted to thecabinet and extends across the open front of the interior display space.The door has a transparent viewing area through which at least a portionof the interior display space can be viewed. A lamp is disposed along anupper front region of the interior display space near the top wall andfront of the cabinet for emitting light. Illumination of the interiorproduct display space is enhanced by: a reflective surface disposedalong a lower front region of the interior product display space at thefront of the cabinet; a lamp reflector disposed in the upper frontregion of the interior display space in operative association with thelamp; a reflective surface disposed along a first side front region ofthe interior display space of the cabinet; a reflective surface disposedalong a second side front region of the interior display space of thecabinet opposite the first side front region. In an embodiment of therefrigerated merchandiser, a reflective surface is provided on aninterior facing surface of the door bounding the upper front region ofthe interior display space, and a reflective surface is provided on aninterior facing surface of the door bounding the lower front region ofthe interior display space.

In a further embodiment, the cold beverage merchandiser includes acabinet having a top wall, a base wall, and a surrounding side wallstructure including a plurality of side walls extending between the topwall and the base wall, defining a refrigerated interior display space.An access opening is provided in either the top wall or one of the sidewalls providing access to the interior display space. At least one dooris mounted to the cabinet and extends across the access opening to theinterior display space. The door has a transparent viewing area throughwhich at least a portion of the interior display space can be viewed. Alamp is disposed along an upper front region of the interior displayspace near the top wall and front of the cabinet for emitting light. Areflector is disposed within the cabinet along a second side boundingthe access opening. The reflector adapted to reflect an image of theinterior product display space toward the transparent viewing area ofthe at least one door.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of these and objects of the invention,reference will be made to the following detailed description of theinvention which is to be read in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partly sectioned, of a cold beveragemerchandiser in accord with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the exterior of the cold beveragemerchandiser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectioned plan view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded side elevation view of the upper front region andthe lower front region of the interior of the merchandiser of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an exploded plan of the right and left comers of the frontregion of the interior of the merchandiser of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a reflector strip;

FIG. 7 is a side view of an embodiment of a side reflector strip;

FIG. 8 is a side view of an embodiment of a bottom reflector strip;

FIG. 9 is a side view of an embodiment of a door reflector strip; and

FIG. 10 is a side view of a two-lamp embodiment of a lamp reflector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3 in particular, there is depicted acold beverage merchandiser, designated generally by the referencenumeral 10, including an interior product display space 100 havingshelves 102 for holding product 110 to be purchased, such as for examplebottled or canned soda, milk, water, juices, fruit drinks, beer andother beverages. Although the invention will be described herein withreference to the depicted embodiment of a refrigerated cold beveragemerchandiser, it is to be understood that that invention may be appliedto other display merchandisers, for example non-refrigerated displaymerchandisers for displaying jewelry, toys, electronic devices, bakedgoods, bottled and canned beverages and the like, and refrigerateddisplay merchandisers for displaying perishable and frozen comestiblesand beverages, including for example meats, poultry, fish, diaryproducts, prepackaged frozen foods, and other products that need to bemaintained in a controlled environment.

A refrigerated cabinet 20 having a top wall 22, a base wall 24, and asurrounding side wall structure including a plurality of insulated sidewalls 32, 34 36 and 38 extending between the top wall 22 and the basewall 24. The front side wall 32 includes a viewing area 35 through whichthe interior product display space 100 may be viewed from exteriorly ofthe cabinet 20. In the depicted embodiment, the viewing area in thefront side wall 32 comprises an open area covered by a one door 40mounted to the cabinet 20. The door 40 extends across the open area 35to the interior product display space 100 and has a transparent viewingarea, for example a glass panel 44 mounted in frame 42, through which atleast a portion of the interior product display space 100 can be viewed.Although the embodiment of the display merchandiser 10 depicted in thedrawing has only one door 40, it is to be understood that the displaymerchandiser may have one, two, three or more doors that collectivelycover the open area 35 when in the closed position. The door 40 isselectively positionable between a closed position covering the openarea 35 and an open position in which consumers may access the interiorproduct display space 100 to remove a product for purchase. The door ordoors 40 may be mounted to the cabinet 20 in a conventional manner, forexample on hinges for pivotal movement or on a tract for slidingmovement between an open and closed position.

The top wall 22, base wall 24 and surrounding side walls 32, 34, 36 and38 may be heat insulated for insulating the refrigerated interiorproduct display space 100, from the environment exterior of the displaymerchandiser 10. A refrigeration unit is provided in operativeassociation with the interior product display space 100 for providingrefrigerated air thereto. In the depicted embodiment, the refrigerationunit is housed in a compartment 52 beneath the product display space 100and includes an evaporator/evaporator fan assembly 60, acondenser/condenser fan assembly 70, and a compressor 74. The evaporatorof the evaporator/evaporator fan assembly 60, the condenser of thecondenser/condenser fan assembly 70 and compressor 74 are appropriatelycoupled in fluid communication by refrigerant lines (not shown) in aconventional refrigeration cycle to form a closed loop refrigerantcircuit.

The evaporator fan is operative in a conventional manner to draw airfrom the interior product display space 100 and thence pass the airthrough the evaporator to and through a return air circulation ductdefined between the rear side wall 34 and a rear panel 33 spacedinwardly of the rear side wall 34. Refrigerated air passing through thecirculation duct passes back into the interior product display space100, typically in part through an opening (not shown) at the upper endof the duct and in part through openings (not shown) provided in therear panel 33. The condenser fan is operative, typically only when thecompressor 74 is in operation, to draw air from outside the refrigerateddisplay merchandiser, such as for example from the ambient environmentexternal thereof through the front grille 12 at the lower front of themerchandiser 10, and through the condenser. As the external air passesthrough the condenser in heat exchange relationship with the hotrefrigerant vapor from the compressor 74 being passed through thecondenser, the refrigerant is cooled and condensed, and the air heated.The cooled refrigerant passes on to the evaporator. Having traversed thecondenser, this air is exhausted out of the compartment back into theexternal environment.

The particular mode of refrigerating the product display space 10 is notlimiting of the invention. For example, rather than a self-containedrefrigeration unit as discussed above, an evaporator/evaporator fanassembly may be provided within the product display space, theevaporator of which is connected by refrigerant lines in a refrigerantcircuit with a condenser/condenser fan assembly and compressor whichdisposed remotely from the merchandiser 10. In such as arrangement, theevaporator fan circulates air within the product display space over theevaporator refrigerant coils to cool the air.

As discussed hereinbefore, it is desirable to illuminate the interiorproduct display space 100 and the product disposed therein to enhancethe appearance of the product 110 disposed on the shelves 102 to theconsumer viewing the product through the view area. A lamp 80,preferably a fluorescent light, is positioned in an upper front regionof the interior product display space 100. When energized, the lamp 80emits light directly into the interior product display space 100. As inthe depicted embodiment, the lamp 80 may also function to illuminategraphics 78, which may carry an advertising message relating to one ormore of the products displayed or other design, laid on an upper portionof the door 40. Although light emitted from the lamp 80 will effectivelyilluminate product disposed on the front portion of the upper shelfwithin the interior product display space 100, as well as productdisposed at the front portion of the lower shelves, that light will onlypoorly illuminate product disposed on portions of the shelves moretoward the rear side wall 34 or on portions of the lower shelves shadedby any shelves there above. The shelves 102 may be gravity-feed shelvesangled slightly downwardly from back to front, as depicted in FIG. 2, orhorizontally disposed shelves, or other shelving configurationappropriate to support the particular product being displayed forpurchase. However, the specific number, arrangement and configuration ofthe shelves 102 is not germane to the invention and is within the skillof one of ordinary skill in the art to select for optimizing thepresentation of and the customer accessibility to the particular productbeing displayed.

In accordance with the invention, illumination of the product isenhanced through at least one, and most advantageously a plurality of,highly reflective surfaces disposed at specific locations relative tothe lamp 80. Commonly, the surfaces of the walls facing the interiorproduct display area I 00 are relatively non-reflective or of relativelylow reflectivity. Therefore, most of the light emitted from the lamp 80that impinges upon these bounding surfaces is absorbed. The reflectivesurfaces of the lighting system of the invention will reflect, ratherthan absorb, a significant portion of the light form the lamp 80 thatimpinges thereon back into the interior product display space 100,thereby enhancing illumination of the interior product display space 100and the product disposed therein. In the embodiment depicted in thedrawings, the system comprises six reflectors, a first reflector 90 in alower front region of the interior product display space 100, a secondreflector 92 in the upper front region of the interior product displayspace 100, a third and a fourth reflector forming a paired sidereflectors 94 disposed along the respective front side regions of theinterior product display space 100, a fifth reflector 96 on an upperportion of the door 40 and a sixth reflector 98 on a lower portion ofthe door 40. It is to be understood, however, that this embodiment isillustrative only and that the system of the invention may include oneor greater number of reflectors.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, a first reflector 90, having areflective surface 91, is disposed opposite the lamp 80 extending alongthe front of the bottom wall 34 bounding the interior product displayspace 100. The first reflector 90 is contoured or otherwise configuredwith its reflective surface 91 facing inwardly and upwardly toward theinterior product display space 100 so as to reflect light upwardly andalso inwardly into the product display space. A second reflector 92,having a reflective surface 93, may be disposed in operative associationwith and to extend along the lamp 80. As depicted, the second reflector92 is contoured or otherwise configured and positioned so as to extendover and inside of the lamp 80 whereby the reflective surface 93 thereofwill reflector light emitted from the lamp 80 both generally downwardlytoward the first reflector 90 positioned oppositely thereof along thelower front of the cabinet. The second reflector 92 may also beconfigured such that a portion of its reflective surface 93 reflectslight from the lamp 80 generally outwardly toward the sign 78.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 5, a third reflector 94A, having areflective surface 95A, may be disposed in a side front region of theinterior product display space 100 so as to extend vertically along theside wall 36 near the front edge thereof. Also, a fourth reflector 94B,having a reflective surface 95B, may be disposed in the other side frontregion of the interior product display space 100 so as to extendvertically along the side wall 38 near the front edge thereof. Theseside reflectors may extend the full height of the interior productdisplay space or may be foreshortened so as to extend for only a portionof the height of the interior product display space 100. Each of thereflectors 94A and 94B are contoured or otherwise configured with itsreflective surface 95A and 95B, respectively, having a portion extendingobliquely to the side walls 34 and 36, respectively, and facing inwardlytoward the interior product display space 100 and a portion extendinggenerally parallel to the side walls 34 and 36, respectively. Each ofthe reflective surfaces 95A and 95B reflects light inwardly into theproduct display space 100 as well as along the glass front panel 45 ofthe door 40 and toward its paired side reflector on the opposite sidewall. Additionally, each of these side reflectors 94 may be configuredto reflect an image of the interior product display space toward thetransparent viewing area 44 of the door 40 to create an illusion forconsumers viewing the product through the door of a larger display spacefilled with more products. This enhanced merchandising effect providedby the side reflectors 94 improves the consumer-appeal of the productsdisplayed.

One or two additional reflectors may be provided on the indoor side ofthe door 40, one positioned to extend along the top of the door and theother to extend along the bottom of the door. For example, referringagain to FIG. 4, a fifth reflector 96 may be disposed against an upperportion of the inside surface 45 of the glass panel 44 of the door 40.The fifth reflector 96 has a reflective surface 97 that faces generallyinwardly toward the interior product display space and that is contouredor otherwise configured to reflect light inwardly and downwardly intothe interior product display space 100 when the door 40 is closed. Asixth reflector 98 may be disposed against a lower portion of the insidesurface 45 of the glass panel 44 of the door 40. The sixth reflector 98has a reflective surface 99 that faces generally inwardly toward theinterior product display space and that is contoured or otherwiseconfigured to reflect light inwardly and upwardly into the interiorproduct display space 100 when the door 40 is closed.

The reflectors 90, 94, 96 and 98 may comprise simple, elongated stripsbent along a longitudinal line at an included angle, A, with therespective interior surface 91, 95, 97 and 99 being reflective, such asdepicted in FIG. 6. The reflectors may comprise a structural supportmember having a reflective surface on the side that will face theinterior of the product display space. The strips may be formed sheetmetal strips, for example anodized aluminum, having a polished surfaceas a reflective surface or a having a reflective paint or otherreflective material coating deposited thereon as a reflective surface asdepicted in FIG. 7. The strips may be extruded strips configured to thedesired contour during the extrusion process and having a reflectivecoating deposited, for example extruded plastic, PVC resin or aluminumsubstrate laminated with a skin of reflective aluminum or aluminizedMylar to provide the reflective surface as depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9.The reflectors may be mounted to the cabinet structure and doorstructure as appropriate by any suitable attachment technique, such asfor example mechanical fasteners, including screws, magnetic strips,hook-and-loop fabric with adhesive on both sides, double-sided tape, oradhesive.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the length of eachreflector and the included angle in the reflective surface will dependupon the geometry and dimensions of the product display space 100 andexact placement of the reflectors therein. In a conventionally sized,single door, rectangular cabinet, cold beverage merchandiser, forexample, the interior product display space would commonly have a widthof about 26 inches, a depth of about 29 inches and a height of about 52inches. For a product display spaced so sized, the strip reflectors 90,94, 96 and 98 would typically have an included angle, A, lying in therange of about 130 to about 170 degrees. In the illustrative exampleshown in FIG. 7, the side reflectors 94 might, for example, be a striphaving a width of about 2.5 inches, be bent along a longitudinal line atan included angle of about 165 degrees, and extend up the respectivefront side comers of the product display space 100 for substantially thefull height of the product display space or a portion of the height ofthe product display space. In the illustrative example shown in FIG. 8,the bottom reflector 90 might, for example, be a strip having a width ofabout 3.5 inches, be bent along a longitudinal line at an included angleof about 135 degrees and extend up the respective across the frontbottom surface of the product display space 100 between the side wallsthereof for an overall length commensurate with the width of the productdisplay space. In the illustrative example shown in FIG. 9, the top andbottom door reflectors 96 and 98, for example, be a strip having a widthof about 1.5 inches, be bent along a longitudinal line at an includedangle of about 147 degrees and extend up the respective across the topinside and bottom inside surfaces of the door 40 between the sidesthereof for an overall length of about 18 inches for a typical singledoor.

The reflector 92 comprises an elongated member having a multi-facetcontour such as illustrated in a one-lamp embodiment in FIG. 4 and in atwo-lamp embodiment in FIG. 10. In the two-lamp embodiment, thereflector has a first section 92A, associated with the first lamp 80 andsimilar in configuration to the one-lamp embodiment of the reflector asdepicted in FIG. 4, and a second section 92B, associated with the secondlamp 80, extending outwardly from the front edge of the first section.The reflector 92 comprises a structural support member, for exampleanodized aluminum or other metal, having a polished surface as areflective surface or a having a reflective paint or other reflectivematerial coating deposited thereon as a reflective surface. Thereflector 92 is positioned within the product display space 100 behindthe lamp or lamps 80 with its reflective surface on the side facing theinterior of the product display space. The length of the lamp reflector,the number of facets and the included angles between the various facetsin the reflective surface will also depend upon the geometry anddimensions of the product display space 100 and the placement of thereflector with respect to the lamp or lamps 80 therein. In aconventionally sized, single door, rectangular cabinet, cold beveragemerchandiser, for example, the included angles between adjacent facetswould typically fall in the range of about 90 to about 170 degrees.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to the embodiment as illustrated in the drawing, it willbe understood by one skilled in the art that various changes in detailmay be effected therein without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as defined by the claims. For example, in a displaymerchandiser having a vertically extending lamp disposed along one sideof the product display space at the front thereof, the first reflectorwould be disposed in the opposite front corner of the product displayspace to extend vertically along that side opposite the lamp. Additionalreflectors could be disposed along the upper front and lower front ofthe product display space.

1. A display merchandiser having an improved lighting system forilluminating an interior product display space within said displaymerchandiser, said display merchandiser comprising: a cabinet definingthe interior display space and having an area through which at least aportion of the interior display region can be viewed, said viewing areabounded by at least a first side and a second side, the second sidebeing opposite the first side; a lamp disposed along the first side foremitting light into the interior product display space; and a firstreflector disposed along the second side of said access opening, saidfirst reflector adapted to direct at least of the light emitted fromsaid lamp into the interior product display space.
 2. A displaymerchandiser as recited in claim 1 further comprising: a secondreflector disposed along the first side in operative association withsaid lamp, said second reflector adapted to reflect at least a portionof the light emitted from said lamp toward said first reflector.
 3. Adisplay merchandiser as recited in claim 2 further comprising: a thirdreflector disposed along a third side extending laterally along saidviewing area between the first side and the second side, said thirdreflector adapted to direct at least a portion of the light emitted fromsaid lamp into the interior product display space.
 4. A displaymerchandiser as recited in claim 3 further comprising: a fourthreflector disposed along a fourth side extending laterally along saidviewing area between the first side and the second side and opposite ofthe third side, said fourth reflector adapted to direct at least aportion of the light emitted from said lamp into the interior productdisplay space.
 5. A display merchandiser as recited in claim 1 whereinsaid viewing area comprises an access opening to the interior displayspace of said cabinet.
 6. A display merchandiser as recited in claim 5further comprising at least one transparent door mounted to saidcabinet, said at least one door being selectively positionable between afirst position in which said door closes said access opening to accessto the interior display space and a second position in which said dooropens said access opening to access to the interior display space.
 7. Adisplay merchandiser as recited in claim 6 wherein said at least onetransparent door comprises at least one hinged glass door.
 8. A displaymerchandiser as recited in claim 6 wherein said at least one transparentdoor comprises at least one sliding glass door.
 9. A displaymerchandiser as recited in claim 6 further comprising a fifth reflectordisposed along a first portion of said door bounding the first side ofsaid viewing area, said fifth reflector adapted to direct at least aportion of the light emitted from said lamp into the interior displayspace.
 10. A display merchandiser as recited in claim 6 furthercomprising a sixth reflector disposed along a second portion of saiddoor bounding the second side of said viewing area, said sixth reflectoradapted to direct at least a portion of the light emitted from said lampinto the interior display space.
 11. A display case as recited in claim1 wherein said viewing area comprises a transparent surface of saidcabinet.
 12. A cold beverage merchandiser having an improved lightingsystem for illuminating an interior product display space within saidmerchandiser, said cold beverage merchandiser comprising: a refrigeratedcabinet defining the interior display space bounded by a top, a base, anopen front, and a surrounding side wall structure including a pluralityof insulated side walls extending between said top and said base; atleast one door mounted to said cabinet and extending across the openfront of the interior display space, said at least one door having atransparent viewing area through which at least a portion of theinterior display space can be viewed; a lamp disposed along an upperfront region of the interior display space at the top and front of thecabinet for emitting light into the interior product display space; anda bottom reflector disposed along a lower front region of the interiordisplay space at the base and front of the cabinet, said bottomreflector adapted to direct at least of the light emitted from said lampto illuminate the interior product display space.
 13. A cold beveragemerchandiser as recited in claim 12 further comprising a lamp reflectordisposed in the upper front region of the interior display space inoperative association with said lamp, said lamp reflector adapted toreflect at least a portion of the light emitted from said lamp towardsaid first reflector.
 14. A cold beverage merchandiser as recited inclaim 13 further comprising: a first side reflector disposed in a sidefront region of the interior display space at a side and front of thecabinet, said first side reflector adapted to direct at least a portionof the light emitted from said lamp to illuminate the interior productdisplay space; and a second side reflector disposed in a side frontregion of the interior display space at a side and front of the cabinetopposite said first side reflector, said second side reflector adaptedto direct at least a portion of the light emitted from said lamp toilluminate the interior product display space.
 15. A cold beveragemerchandiser as recited in claim 12 further comprising a side reflectordisposed in a front region of the interior display space at a side ofthe cabinet, said side reflector adapted to reflect an image of theinterior product display space toward the transparent viewing area ofsaid at least one door.
 16. A cold beverage merchandiser as recited inclaim 12 further comprising a first door reflector mounted to aninterior facing surface of said at least one door bounding the upperfront region of the interior display space, said first door reflectoradapted to direct at least a portion of the light emitted from said lampinto the interior display space.
 17. A cold beverage merchandiser asrecited in claim 12 further comprising a second door reflector mountedto an interior facing surface of said at least one door bounding thelower front region of the interior display space, said second doorreflector adapted to direct at least a portion of the light emitted fromsaid lamp into the interior display space.
 18. A cold beveragemerchandiser as recited in claim 12 wherein said at least one doorcomprises at least one glass door.
 19. A cold beverage merchandiser asrecited in claim 12 wherein said at least one door comprises at leastone hinged glass door.
 20. A cold beverage merchandiser as recited inclaim 12 wherein said at least one transparent door comprises at leastone sliding glass door.
 21. A cold beverage merchandiser as recited inclaim 12 further comprising a refrigerant unit operatively associatedwith said refrigerated cabinet for supplying refrigerated air to theinterior display space of said cabinet.
 22. A cold beverage merchandiseras recited in claim 12 wherein said refrigeration unit comprises arefrigeration cassette including a compressor, a condenser, and anevaporator connected in a refrigerant flow circuit.
 23. A cold beveragemerchandiser having an improved lighting system for illuminating aninterior product display space within said merchandiser, said coldbeverage merchandiser comprising: a refrigerated cabinet defining theinterior display space bounded by a top wall, a base, a surrounding sidewall structure including a plurality of insulated side walls extendingbetween the top wall and the base, and an open access area in either thetop wall or one of the side walls providing access to the interiordisplay space; at least one door mounted to said cabinet and extendingacross the open access area of the interior display space, said at leastone door having a transparent viewing area through which at least aportion of the interior display space can be viewed; a lamp disposedwithin the cabinet along a first side bounding the open access area foremitting light into the interior product display space; and a reflectordisposed within the cabinet along a second side bounding the open accessarea, said reflector adapted to reflect an image of the interior productdisplay space toward the transparent viewing area of said at least onedoor.
 24. A cold beverage merchandiser as recited in claim 23 whereinthe open access area is in a front side wall of the cabinet, the lamp isdisposed along an upper side bounding the open access area, and thereflector is disposed along a vertical side bounding the open accessarea.
 25. A refrigerated merchandiser having an improved lighting systemfor illuminating an interior product display space within saidmerchandiser, said cold beverage merchandiser comprising: a refrigeratedcabinet defining the interior display space bounded by a top wall, abase wall, an open front, and a surrounding side wall structureincluding a plurality of insulated side walls extending between said topwall and said base wall; at least one door mounted to said cabinet andextending across the open front of the interior display space, said atleast one door having a transparent viewing area through which at leasta portion of the interior display space can be viewed; a lamp disposedalong an upper front region of the interior display space at the topwall and front of the cabinet for emitting light into the interiorproduct display space; a reflective surface disposed along a lower frontregion of the interior display space at the base and front of thecabinet; a lamp reflector disposed in the upper front region of theinterior display space in operative association with said lamp; areflective surface disposed along a first side front region of theinterior display space of the cabinet; and a reflective surface disposedalong a second side front region of the interior display space of thecabinet opposite the first side front region.
 26. A refrigeratedmerchandiser as recited in claim 25 further comprising: a reflectivesurface on an interior facing surface of said at least one door boundingthe upper front region of the interior display space; and a reflectivesurface on an interior facing surface of said at least one door boundingthe lower front region of the interior display space.